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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (April 18, 2007)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, April 18, 2007 It was time, and I really didn’t feel ready. But the food bill had dragged on too long. My boss was insistent. “Go collect the cash from those sailors,” he said. So I tucked my white short-sleeved shirt into my white trousers. And then, because I had food stains on the lower portion of the shirt and the top of my trousers, I tied a freshly cleaned and starched apron around my waist. I looked ready. But I still didn’t feel like it. And off I strode, looking for a certain U.S. Navy ves- sel undergoing refitting at a San Diego shipyard. It was quite a walk from the cafeteria to the ship, but I didn’t mind because it gave me time to prepare myself men- tally. A handful of sailors had run up a tab of nearly $200 during the previous three weeks because I allowed them to charge their food at the remote lunch stand I operated for the cafeteria. And now it was time to pay the piper because my boss was slightly furious that the chit had been allowed to reach the total. I mean, it was 1963 and that was a lot of chow considering the prevailing prices. I had granted credit because -- well, because I couldn’t see a reason not to. After all, the sailors promised they’d pay me. Be- sides, I was a somewhat gullible 19-year-old. Finally reached the vessel after making my way through the hazards of a major shipyard. Found my way to the mess hall aboard ship, and contacted the com- manding officer, with whom I had spoken via telephone a few days earlier. He and his fellow officers were at their own table in the main dining area because the officers mess was torn up during refitting. Their table had a tablecloth and a steward. I took a deep breath and addressed the C.O. He gave me a gim- let glance, and then berated me for allowing sailors to charge. “They’re sailors for Pete’s sake,” he intoned. “Did you expect them to pay?” I answered, “Yes.” He continued to grumble, finally advising me that there was no way they could collect the total debt. But the crew had agreed, he said, to fork over $95 from their recreation fund. I took the cash and left. Upon my return, the boss was not happy, and told me so in no uncertain terms. And I never let sailors charge their food again. Even when they promised they’d pay. Not long after, I left that job. After all, I didn’t look that good in white clothing, even with a fresh apron. MANSFIELD R. CLEARY Attorney at Law General Practice in Illinois Valley since 1980 Practice includes but not limited to: Bankruptcy - Eliminate financial problems Living trusts - Avoid probate Estate planning - Wills, power of attorney Domestic relations Auto accident - Personal Injury Criminal - DUII Real Estate contracts - Foreclosure 592-2195 200 W. Lister (Editor’s Note: Views and commentary, including state- ments made as fact, are strictly those of the letter-writers.) * * * Typed, double-spaced let- ters written solely to this news- paper are considered for publi- cation. Hand-written letters that are double-spaced and legible also can be considered. ‘Thank you’ submissions are not accepted as letters. * * * CJ Citizens Patrol seeking assistance From Mark Rodgers, coordinator Neighborhood Watch In Motion/Cave Junction Citizens Patrol As we all know, a budget for law enforcement is nearly nonexistent. Therefore, we need to take it upon ourselves to protect, patrol, watch and deter crime. The Citizens Patrol needs volunteers tto patrol in vehicles and on foot. The patrol also needs monetary sponsors for some equipment needed to aid our efforts to document, record and communicate. Patrol meetings are held on third Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Josephine County Bldg. in Downtown Cave Junction. I can be con- tacted at River Valley Res- taurant, 592-4128; or at home, 592-3754. CJ Skate Park still rolling along From Sandy Lilly, presi- dent, The Shining Stars; and board of directors On behalf of our organi- zation, I and directors Nicole Duran, Roy Ewing, Gabriella Salas and Crystal Schroeter want to address the removal of damaged skate park ramps in Jubilee Park by the city of Cave Junction. We realize how upset the youth are to lose these ramps, but there needs Cave Junction Wednesday, April 18 Chilly with clouds proliferating High--54, Low--32. Thursday, April 19 Clouds leading to cold and rain High--58, Low--35. Friday, April 20 More spring: clouds, thunder, rain, snow High--60, Low--35. Saturday, April 21 Patchy sunshine shifting to rain High--64, Low--39. illinois-valley-news.com Illinois Valley News www.illinois-valley-news.com An Independent Weekly Newspaper Co-owned and published by Robert R. (AKA Bob or El Jefe), Editor and Jan Rodriguez Entered as second class matter June 11, 1937 at Post Office as Official Newspaper for Josephine County and Josephine County Three Rivers School District, published at 321 S. Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, OR 97523 Periodicals postage paid at Cave Junction, OR 97523 Post Office Box 1370 USPS 258-820 Telephone (541) 592-2541, FAX (541) 592-4330 Email: newsroom1@frontiernet.net or newsdesk@illinois-valley-news.com Volume 70, No. 5 Staff: Michelle Binker, Zina Booth, Josiah Dean, Scott Jorgensen Millie Watkins, and Tina Grow Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association DEADLINES: News, Classified & Display Ads, Announcements & Letters 5 P.M. THURSDAYS (Classified ads & uncomplicated display ads can be accepted until Noon, Fridays with an additional charge.) POLICY ON LETTERS: ‘Illinois Valley News’ welcomes letters to the editor provided they are of general interest, in good taste, legible and not libelous. All letters must be signed, using complete name, and contain the writer’s address and telephone number. The latter need not be published, but will be used to verify authenticity. The ‘News’ reserves the right to edit letters. Generally, one letter per person per month at publishers’ discretion. Letters are used at the discretion of the publishers. Unpublished letters are neither acknowledged nor returned. A prepaid charge may be levied if a letter is inordinately long in the publishers’ opinion. POLICY ON “HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE,” DISPLAY & CLASSIFIED ADS & NOTICES: All submissions must be hand delivered, faxed or e-mailed to us for publication. Submissions must be resubmitted weekly if the item is to run more than one week. SUBSCRIPTION RATES One year in Josephine County - $22.80 One year in Jackson and Douglas counties - $26.40 One year in all other Oregon counties and out-of-state - $36 POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to P.O. Box 1370, Cave Junction OR 97523 Sunday, April 22 Rain showers mixing with snow High--58, Low--35. Monday, April 23 More spring: snow, rain; rain and snow High--54, Low--34. Tuesday, April 24 Just clouds with a tad bit of sun High--60, Low--35. Following are the high-and- low temperatures, and rainfall, recorded in O’Brien by Cheryl & Harry Johnson. *Fri., April 6: 73-43 *Sat., April 7: 65-47 0.31 *Sun., April 8: 65-42 0.35 *Mon., April 9: 59-40 0.43 *Tue., April 10: 67-37 *Wed., April 11: 51-39 0.94 *Thurs., April 12: 62-34 Following are the high-and- low temperatures, and rainfall, recorded in Cave Junction at Mountain Wind Farm. *Fri., April 6: 81-39 *Sat., April 7: 68-45 0.19 *Sun., April 8: 70-41 0.26 *Mon., April 9: 61-40 0.32 *Tue., April 10: 66-36 *Wed., April 11: 53-38 0.89 *Thurs., April 12: 57-33 0.01 to be an understanding that it was done for the safety of the skaters. The entire skate park was due to be removed, as the city had received more than one complaint from concerned parents and other citizens. The large ramps were far too rotted to be repaired. We are happy to see that the smaller pieces were left for skaters to en- joy, and appreciate the city for this compromise, as well as for its labor and time. The remaining pieces still need maintenance and TLC. The Shining Stars will hold a Skate Park Spring Cleanup sometime during the next few weeks. Paint- ing, repairing, and general cleaning of the area need to be tackled. We also hope to hang skate park signs again. The youth made a CJ Skate Park sign. The Shining Stars has a sign about responsibility and rules, and the city re- quires that it be posted if we wish to have the skate park. We are awaiting another meeting with Mayor Paul- son to discuss future devel- opment and rebuilding. We have a vision for our youth of a concrete skate park. Community involvement from the entire valley will be instrumental to make it happen. All skaters, families, friends and community are encouraged to come share ideas and learn more about our dream for the skate park in Illinois Valley. We want to mention Cross Quest for its help in keeping up the facility, as well as those youth who have pitched in during the past few years. Additionally, The Shin- ing Stars will not host its annual event in June. We value all our volunteers and supporters from the previous five events. We want to look forward together toward the future skate park. For more information phone 592-2236. Sheriff’s office delays; message to delinquents From Angela Davel Herde Cave Junction I am writing in response to the lack of effort by the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, as I was a victim of juvenile vandalism to my vehicle while working at a Downtown Cave Junction restaurant on Dec. 29. After witnessing a group of teen-agers getting ready to break windows out of Issac’s discount store I and another person chased them to another restaurant where they were identi- fied. The next afternoon I spoke with the mother of one of the kids, and she got her son to admit who had actually smashed my wind- shield and told me she would help me get my windshield replaced. I called the sheriff’s office to inform them of the recent update and was told no previous report had been made. I argued this fact and told them I wanted to pursue this. A week later I was con- tacted at the restaurant by another deputy, who made it clear that he was there only to investigate the “non- investigation.” I contacted the sheriff’s office again and inquired about my case, but did not get to talk to a deputy. I was later contacted by Deputy Hubbard, who asked why I had not made a report ear- lier, and that angered me. I told him there had been, but that for some reason no one was officially documenting my multiple calls. I was assured by the deputy that my case would be handled by him and not to worry about previous contacts, as he would “take care of this.” That is the last time I was contacted by a (Continued on page 7) S ELMA F ARMERS ’ M ARKET S EASON OPENING & FREE V ENDORS D AY S UNDAY , J UNE 3 RD S UNDAYS , 9 ‘ TIL 1 A T THE S ELMA C ENTER 18255 R EDWOOD H WY . FOR VENDOR INFOR- MATION PHONE : L INDA M EIER AT 597-2522
